The Alternate Stitch

Merino Wool has many natural benefits, including thermoregulation, durability, breathability, softness, and an unbelievable ability to manage moisture. Though other moisture wicking materials exist, we’ve found the best moisture wicking socks are made with Merino Wool.

There are a lot of types of socks; trust us, we know. Working at a sock company, you quickly learn that there are so many different types of socks, with no shortage of ways to group and categorize them. To make things a little bit easier, we made a (mostly) comprehensive, no-nonsense guide on all types of socks. 

If your socks make an impression (beyond just what people think of them) then you’re going to want to read this article. We’re covering performance socks: what they are, how to ensure they fit, the benefits they offer, and the marks they (might) leave behind.

As a company dedicated to knitting the absolute best socks out there, it’s probably no surprise Darn Tough views socks as all-season wardrobe essentials - yes, even in summer. Let’s bust the myth that wool is just for winter and consider five reasons why wearing wool socks in summer is awesome.

Most socks? They’re background noise. You don’t think about them until they bunch up, slip down, or rub your heel raw. That’s not performance. That's a distraction. Performance socks are different. They don’t just sit there; they work. They wick, regulate, cushion, and support. Quietly doing their job so you can focus on yours. 

Some socks are too short. Some are too tall. But one height landed right in the middle and changed everything. Enter the Micro Crew, a Darn Tough innovation that hits above the ankle (taller than a quarter crew) and below mid-calf (shorter than a crew). 

So, if you’re in the market for a new pair of men’s running socks, this guide is designed to help narrow your search. Selfishly, creating a guide showcasing our “best” running socks for men  was tough because we think they’re all worthy. But to make your life easier, we figured, why not give you a running start?

New to running? Looking for a gift for the runner in your life? Whether you run for fitness, are training for a race, or use running as an opportunity to meet new people, you will need the best women's running socks to make every mile feel like a victory. But you don't have to just take it from us; read on to hear from the running community.

Merino Wool, Nylon, and Spandex are the only yarns we knit into our socks. A pure Merino sock would not have the elasticity to hold its fit, and Nylon strengthens wear zones. The list is simple, but it’s how we do it 
that knits a longer lasting sock.

As you can imagine, cotton’s reputation is a regular conversation around here. We wanted to know more about why people love cotton, so we sent out a survey to about 6,000 people. We asked cotton sock fans what they love about this fabric, then we asked Merino sock lovers what they’d say to a cotton sock wearer.

If you’re standing by the laundry wondering how to wash Merino Wool socks, you’ve come to the right place. Here's detailed washing instructions for at home and in the backcountry.

Cushioned socks have Terry loops underfoot (and often other areas too) to add comfort, durability, and padding. Whether it's for comfort or protection, we have a variety of cushion levels to choose from based on your preferences and footwear. Not sure if you want cushion or what kind of cushioned sock to get? 

The allure of going sock-less in dress shoes has become a men’s fashion statement. There may be plenty of hot-takes on the trend itself, but answering the question of “Can I wear dress shoes without socks?” is simple. Technically, yes… but, we wouldn’t recommend it. 

Over the years, dress socks have transformed from functional basics in a narrow color range barely worth considering to powerful fashion statements. If you’re asking yourself what color men's dress socks should be to match the rest of your outfit, this is for you.

From dress shoes to sneakers and loafers to boots, there's a lot to consider when deciding what kind of dress socks to wear with different types of dress shoes. And no matter what shoes you’re wearing, you’ll thrive in socks that are comfortable, breathable, and moisture wicking.

Though we can’t help you answer questions like, “Do I need to wear a tie?” we can address an equally important question, namely, “What color should dress socks be?” In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to match dress socks to your outfit, covering everything from classic rules to modern twists.

Dress socks are an essential yet overlooked component of formal attire. They might not be the centerpiece of your outfit, but then again, your fit wouldn’t be complete without them. Every man dressing for a formal occasion needs a comfortable and durable pair of men's dress socks, but with so many options out there, how is one to choose?

At Darn Tough, we knit our socks in 4 different weights: Ultra-lightweight, Lightweight, Midweight, and Heavyweight. When it comes to picking a sock weight, consider your planned activity, local weather, and personal preferences. We put together a guide of our different sock weight options for all of your favorite activities.